1
as in gowns
a garment with a joined blouse and skirt usually worn by a woman or girl
what a lovely dress you're wearing today!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
3
as in looks
the outward form of someone or something especially as indicative of a quality
another version of the Cinderella story but in modern-romance dress
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in bandages
to cover with a bandage
first wash and then dress the wound
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in decorates
to make more attractive by adding something that is beautiful or becoming
let's dress up the room with some greenery for the holiday party
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in polishes
to make smooth or glossy usually by repeatedly applying surface pressure
dress the granite block to be used as the headstone on all four sides
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in clothes
to outfit with clothes and especially fine or special clothes
dressed the young girl in satin and lace
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in suits
to put on one's best or formal clothes
we don't usually dress for dinner
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in grows
to look after or assist the growth of by labor and care
dress the beans by applying fertilizer once a week
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dresses
Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 25 Mar. 2026
With many of these debut collections available, the season’s standout pieces are making their way into carts—from prized accessories (new Bottega bags and Balenciaga shoes) to chic ready-to-wear (think statement dresses from Proenza Schouler and Celine jeans).
—Laura Jackson, Vogue, 25 Mar. 2026
Think relaxed trousers, flowy dresses, and structured tops that don’t feel restrictive.
—Katie Ann Lehman, StyleCaster, 24 Mar. 2026
Get your blond wigs, sequin dresses and cowboy boots ready.
—Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
Is this a safe place to say the Vanity Fair Oscars after-party looks often outshine the actual dresses worn to the Academy Awards?
—Grace McCarty, Glamour, 23 Mar. 2026
Amazing dresses and decently priced.
—Veronica Ortega, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
Stylists competed for dresses; stars were more likely to wear looks straight off the runway; and a surprising number of actresses still bought their own gowns — and were even proud of it.
—Merle Ginsberg, HollywoodReporter, 18 Mar. 2026
Malik showcased formal dresses for women, shalwar kameez, both short and long, many in chiffon fabric.
—Dallas Morning News, 18 Mar. 2026
Holden Seidlitz, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
For the uninitiated—and those without this excellent Instagram on your Explore page—the Sciura is a Milanese woman who dresses elegantly and impeccably.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 1 Mar. 2026
Middleburg also dresses to the nines for the holiday season, with festivities kicking off the first weekend of December during a multiday affair known as Christmas in Middleburg.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
Back then, she had been advised—free of charge—by stylist Bailey Moon, who dresses the likes of Morgan Spector and Cristin Milioti and is most widely known for having worked with Jill Biden and her family throughout president Joe Biden’s administration.
—José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 2 Jan. 2026
Senior commerce editor Nashia Baker dresses her mattress with these and is a fan of their design and breathable feel.
—Nora Taylor, Architectural Digest, 29 Dec. 2025
Dyer was styled by Brad Goreski, who also dresses the likes of Demi Moore, Kaley Cuoco and Ashley Park.
—Kelsey Stewart, Footwear News, 20 Dec. 2025
Not only is everyone forced to celebrate in his family's unique way, but the salesman also dresses as the folkloric gift-bringer Belsnickel.
—Aurelie Corinthios, PEOPLE, 19 Dec. 2025
My wife is lovely and dresses me.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
Jeans and tops account for 18 percent, respectively, followed by dresses, knitwear, shorts and skirts.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 25 Mar. 2026
With many of these debut collections available, the season’s standout pieces are making their way into carts—from prized accessories (new Bottega bags and Balenciaga shoes) to chic ready-to-wear (think statement dresses from Proenza Schouler and Celine jeans).
—Laura Jackson, Vogue, 25 Mar. 2026
Think relaxed trousers, flowy dresses, and structured tops that don’t feel restrictive.
—Katie Ann Lehman, StyleCaster, 24 Mar. 2026
Get your blond wigs, sequin dresses and cowboy boots ready.
—Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
Is this a safe place to say the Vanity Fair Oscars after-party looks often outshine the actual dresses worn to the Academy Awards?
—Grace McCarty, Glamour, 23 Mar. 2026
Amazing dresses and decently priced.
—Veronica Ortega, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
Stylists competed for dresses; stars were more likely to wear looks straight off the runway; and a surprising number of actresses still bought their own gowns — and were even proud of it.
—Merle Ginsberg, HollywoodReporter, 18 Mar. 2026
Malik showcased formal dresses for women, shalwar kameez, both short and long, many in chiffon fabric.
—Dallas Morning News, 18 Mar. 2026
Verb
Betty, attempting to paper over her unthinkable loss, dresses Laura in her daughter’s clothes, gives her her daughter’s place at family meals, has her daughter’s bike fixed to Laura’s height.
—Holden Seidlitz, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
For the uninitiated—and those without this excellent Instagram on your Explore page—the Sciura is a Milanese woman who dresses elegantly and impeccably.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 1 Mar. 2026
Middleburg also dresses to the nines for the holiday season, with festivities kicking off the first weekend of December during a multiday affair known as Christmas in Middleburg.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
Back then, she had been advised—free of charge—by stylist Bailey Moon, who dresses the likes of Morgan Spector and Cristin Milioti and is most widely known for having worked with Jill Biden and her family throughout president Joe Biden’s administration.
—José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 2 Jan. 2026
Senior commerce editor Nashia Baker dresses her mattress with these and is a fan of their design and breathable feel.
—Nora Taylor, Architectural Digest, 29 Dec. 2025
Dyer was styled by Brad Goreski, who also dresses the likes of Demi Moore, Kaley Cuoco and Ashley Park.
—Kelsey Stewart, Footwear News, 20 Dec. 2025
Not only is everyone forced to celebrate in his family's unique way, but the salesman also dresses as the folkloric gift-bringer Belsnickel.
—Aurelie Corinthios, PEOPLE, 19 Dec. 2025
My wife is lovely and dresses me.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dresses
Noun
-
The scents of fresh flowers and beautiful floral gowns are coming back to NorthPark Center.—
Alyson Rodriguez,
Dallas Morning News,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Ralph Lauren is a staple designer in the Duchess’s wardrobe, wearing the label’s main ready-to-wear gowns and suits, and the more casual diffusion line for its flowy shirts and pants that blend seamlessly into her Montecito mom, quiet luxury aesthetic.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Expect sultry routines, sparkly costumes and sips for those 21-plus.—
John Wenzel,
Denver Post,
19 Mar. 2026
-
The costumes are by Fernando Hernandez, and Fernanda Oliveira supplies additional new choreography.—
Manuel Mendoza,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Warriors generated a slew of open looks, but were unable to capitalize on the opportunities that their ball movement created.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
19 Mar. 2026
-
No confirmation has been provided about whether such elements as Jessie Buckley’s expected best actress win indeed went into the decision to dress the five stars who wore Chanel, but there’s no denying that fashion labels look at several variables before agreeing to create custom looks.—
Laurie Brookins,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The iconic Burberry pattern, which is known as the Burberry Check, decorates the sole of the shoe, adding more brand identity to the shoes.—
Karla Rodriguez,
Footwear News,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Ink decorates her hands and wrists, poking out from under the sleeves of her gray cashmere cardigan.—
Nicola Dall'Asen,
Allure,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In one scene, her character polishes and admires the ring, allowing viewers a closer look at the remarkable stone.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The process polishes the gentle bonhomie that promises to transform even the smallest silences into celebrations.—
Archie Forde,
Pitchfork,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Fittingly, the brand builds most of its formulas around cica sourced from Madagascar, where the plant grows with exceptional purity, thanks to the island’s relatively untouched environment.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
21 Mar. 2026
-
The point was to reduce the horrible pelvic pain caused by her endometriosis (a condition in which estrogen-reliant endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus).—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Parental food attitudes directly shape children’s long-term relationship with eating.—
Allison Palmer,
Miami Herald,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Veteran endorsements appear to have a small-to-negligible effect on voters, but may also negatively affect their attitudes about the military as an institution.—
Kori Schake,
The Atlantic,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Chavez’s name also adorns buildings and departments across California college campuses, especially those focused on Latino communities, Chicano studies and labor studies.—
Jaweed Kaleem,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Mar. 2026
-
My favorite Italian/Italian American cookbooks The famous recipe for pinwheel lasagna that adorns the cover is one of my go-to dishes.—
Jamila Robinson,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dresses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dresses. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
